There is the situation in Ukraine as well as recent anti-gay legislation, but there have also been numerous cases of Russian officials slandering the contest, calling it a sodomy contest and other less appealing things.
For me personally, this is a hard nut to crack. At this very moment I am strongly opposed to many things that go on in Russian politics for obvious reasons. I think the Russian delegation is very right to be worried - people are not happy with the situation and are likely to be vocal about it.
But how do you make it clear you are protesting against Russian politics and not against Russia as a nation or against the Russian people?
It is unfair towards the Tomalchevy Sisters who are unlikely to be any driving force behind neither Russian minority treatment nor Russian foreign policies. But a song in a song contest like this doesn't just represent itself but also the country it is connected to.
I'd like to question Russia's foreign songwriters more than the singers: are you comfortable representing Russia under the present circumstances?
But I also insist that songs should be judged on musical merit alone. If a song is good, then it is good. If a performance is brilliant, then it is. At some point you have to disconnect these two things.
And I really hope the Russian entry won't get booed in Copenhagen. For the simple reason that booing is never an OK thing to do. Booing is for fools. If you dislike something or disagree, you can remain silent. Don't clap, don't cheer, don't boo.
Cows go moo. Fools go boo. And that's what I have to say on this matter.
You fear was correct, Russia got boo'ed when they made it to the finals.
ReplyDeleteSilence can't be heard unless everyone participates. Booing can. Art isn't immune from politics. Europe has freedom of speech. Russia doesn't. I will be there to let Russians know that the West doesn't approve of their blatant disregard for human rights and national sovereignty.
ReplyDeleteIf I was in the crowd I would have booed. The fans did not boo the performance, so they weren't doing anything nasty to the sisters. They only reacted to Russia qualifying. I don't see what is wrong with that. You say It's wrong, but you don't really give any good reasons why.
ReplyDeleteEurovision fans in particular have multiple reasons to be angry at Russia. They don't want them in Eurovision. Simple as that.
So anything you don't like or understand, you have the right to boo off stage? The risk is that we will have more booing than applause in the long run if that becomes standard.
DeleteHypocricy is without end. Booing at Russia but screeming joyfully at the Ukraine. When it comes to tolerance of sexual minorities there is absolutely no difference. Being LGBT in either country is dangerous.
ReplyDeleteTobias is correct. My memory may be failing me, but I don't recall the UK being booed the year of the Iraq invasion. The only thing worse than Russia's foreign policy is some people's double standards.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right!!
DeleteI think I agree here - silence would have been heaps more effective. But getting thousands of people in a hall to be completely silent would probably be a next to impossible thing.
ReplyDeleteWell, it was really shameful act. Shame on those uncivilized people.
ReplyDeleteThose cute russian girls have nothing to do with the twisted situation unfolded on the political arena which is really complicated. And try to imagine how those russian people who watched the show feel. Mothers and fathers, kids, grandpas and grandmas. Man, shame on you, civilized european society.
Fools go boo? Last time I checked it's pretty intelligent to voice your opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt is perfectly fine to voice your opinion - you should - but booing at Russian 17-year olds isn't a very constructive thing to do. It doesn't change anything. Join a demonstration outside an embassy or write to your local Russian ambassador, encourage your local politicians to disassociate themselves with Russian companies and trade. Booing at Eurovision makes no difference except giving bigoted Russian politicians further ammunition.
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